What we do

We participate. We volunteer. We talk openly. We welcome. We support.

Our activities are based on values of inclusivity, collaboration and transparency.

We are strongly committed to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers in Chichester and the surrounding area. We talk openly about what we do as a group. We encourage discussion and debate and want to spread the word to make our city and our culture entirely welcoming and non-discriminating.

We support Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Chichester and the surrounding area. Our support includes helping them to develop their English language skills through fun and creative activities. We also accompany them to local appointments, where they might find it helpful to have a bit of support.

We explore how to host some young asylum-seeking people in local homes.

Weorganise drop-in sessions where refugees meet with local residents, build genuine friendships, practise English and share experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.

We take part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) which welcomes and houses refugee families, and are exploring the best way to do this.

We lead a football project because so many of the young refugees in Chichester are interested in playing. We coach them, and have supported them to form a team. They call themselves the Nations United with team members from Eritrea, Sudan, Iran, Egypt and Syria. Read more.

We promote understanding about refugees and asylum-seekers through work in schools, engaging young people and their teachers and tutors.

We advocate to councillors and MPs in local and national government, to generate a more generous and welcoming public policy towards refugees and asylum seekers.

We raise awarenessabout the issues facing refugees and asylum-seekers locally and in the UK, through working with the mainstream media and social media. We regularly give information and news to the Chichester Observer.

We support refugees in Europe – where we can – through connections that some of our members have.

We fundraise for our activities. In the next two years we are aiming to raise £40,000.